Student doesn't let ADHD stop her

Anna Redgrave. Photo / Supplied

When she was five-years-old Anna Redgrave's parents were told she would never achieve success.

In her first year at University she failed three papers.

But then, Ms Redgrave began to learn about a condition called Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - first hearing about the disorder during a psychology lecture.

"As [the lecturer spoke] I just thought oh, that describes me. I guess I felt a little excited. I always knew I was different. I finally worked out that this square peg actually had its very own square hole," the 36-year-old said.

"Finding out wasn't a big blinder, it felt like it just happened over time. I heard a little bit here and there about ADHD and thought it sounded a lot like me."

Last week, Ms Redgrave graduated with a Master of Counselling (Hons) from the University of Auckland's Faculty of Education and Social Work with First Class Honours.

She was drawn to study after many years working in the ICT industry.

She said getting the MA was a thrill and a relief."It was exhausting work - especially with ADHD."

Symptoms of ADHD include inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity, which occur in varying levels of severity dependent on the person. Anna chose not to medicate her disorder, which would help her focus in study.

"Every year my grades got a little better as I learnt strategies to cope with ADHD, and how to study. I also have an amazing and supportive husband who taught me a few study tricks.

"By the time I graduated I received First Class Honours. That was awesome, absolutely awesome."

Ms Redgrave, from Mt Eden, now works a counsellor, with her own practice focusing on three areas including issues with invisible diagnosis such as ADHD, individuals experiencing workplace problems, and working with survivors of trauma.

"As a counsellor I work with both adolescents and adults. For clients with ADHD recognition of an adult diagnosis is very recent and it presents quite differently than in children. It is an area of neurological difference that has received very little focus from research and supportive services."

She also helps facilitate Facebook groups on behalf of the NZ ADHD Association.In ten years she hopes to be a public speaker.

In her past career she attended speeches by Bryce Courtenay and Sir Edmund Hillary amongst others that inspired her to take make changes to her career and set upon the direction she is now going.

"I would like to inspire others to embrace their difference, not only look at the negatives, but seek out how they might be turned into positives," she said.

In the mean time she may go on to study clinical psychology. She has some good advice for people who are diagnosed with ADHD.

"Don't try to see it as a disaster, rather work towards understanding both the positives and negatives."